The Rt. Hon Bruce George MP and the Henry Jackson Society yesterday welcomed Ron Silver, one of America’s leading actors, highly acclaimed for playing the role of Bruno Gianelli in the award winning US series The West Wing, to the House of Commons. He discussed his role in the West Wing, his views on the Presidential US elections and the importance of the America’s special relationship with Britain. He also addressed the critical and challenging foreign policy issues that the new President will face during his first term in office.

Bruce George said “I was delighted to welcome to the House of Commons Ron Silver. He is very impressive not just as an actor, but his CV reveals his strong credentials as an analyst of international relations and domestic US politics. He was able to give us unique insights into both US politics and the West Wing. I found it especially interesting to hear that the two actors in the West Wing treated their fictional election as reality, lobbying the writers for their character to win the election. They treated it like a year long campaign! ”

It seems that in real life, the US Presidential elections are reflecting the plot of the US drama series the West Wing. The sixth and seventh seasons featured a Presidential election between a young and charismatic but inexperienced Latino Senator and a Washington veteran with a maverick streak. The similarities with the 2008 U.S. presidential candidates are striking. Indeed West Wing writer and producer Eli Attie openly admits that Senator Barack Obama provided the inspiration for the character Matthew Santos. Current trends, however, suggest that reality may not stick to the script. Ron Silver will discuss the fascinating parallels and differences between the West Wing and real-life presidential elections.

Ron Silver said, “I am delighted to be speaking in Parliament thanks to Bruce George and the Henry Jackson Society to discuss the importance of the US Presidential Elections and the special relationship between the U.S and Britain. We share a common history and values and we need to strengthen the bond between our two great nations to meet the global challenges that we face from the current economic crisis, a resurgent Russia, proliferation of nuclear weapons and the ever present threat of terrorism. Only by our great nations standing together can we meet these global challenges that lay in wait for the next President.”

Ron Silver is a member of Council on Foreign Relations and a member of the Program Committee of the Wilson Council at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Silver, who was a Democrat for many years, has recently been a supporter of the US “War Against Terror” after the 9/11 attacks. On October 7, 2005, Silver was nominated by President Bush to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the United States Institute of Peace. He has also written for the Los Angeles Times and the Wall Street Journal. Mr. Silver attended law school and holds a Master’s degree in Chinese History.